How to make a homemade face mask, with or without sewing

Several self-sewn face masks by Dirndl tailor Babs Wuertz are seen in her workshop in the Bavarian village of Essenbach, southern Germany, on April 3, 2020. (Photo: CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP via Getty Images)

Manufactured masks, such as N95 masks, are needed for healthcare workers and should not be worn by members of the public. They are already in short supply and are needed by people on the front lines of treating people with COVID-19.

The state has set up a website, Colorado Mask Project, with details and resources on making and wearing homemade masks.

We’ve pulled together educational resources on making homemade masks. However, it’s important to note that all the links on this page are guides, and are not a replacement for traditional, tested Personal Protective Equipment, and the decision to use these particular guides is your own.

No-sew mask

If you don’t have sewing skills, you can still make a homemade mask. There are many designs that have been published online. One that has been widely shared is from crafting site Japanese Creations. Another comes from Make a Mask, which says it was designed by a hospital epidemiologist.